Furnace-feeder



a sheets-sheet 41.

(No Model.) V

t W. B. ALLINGTON.

FURNAGE FEEDER.

No. 891.878. Patented out. 8o, 1888.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Moae1-) y I W. E. ALLINGTON-l -FURNAGE FEEDER. No. 391,873. Patented 001;. 30,1888.

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-vilNiTnn STATES PATENT @Trina YVILLlAM E. ALLINGTON, OF EAST SAGINAW, MCHIGAN.

FURNACE-FEDER..

PE-CIFICATTL'ON forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,873, dated October 30, 1888.

Application tiled May 26, i888. Serial No. 275,222. (No medei.)

To @ZZ whom z may concern:

vBe it known that I, WILLIAM E. ALLTNG TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at lCast Saginaw, in the county of Saginaw and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in FurnaeeFeeders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to that class of apparatus which is employed in connection with planing-inaclxi1ies, in lumber-mills, and similar wood-working establishments for feeding shaviugs, sawdust, and similar solid particles to furnaces, where they are consumed as fuel for generating steam to drive the machinery connected with the boilers of said furnaces, and I preferably employ the same in connection with a superposed collector or separatiiig-chamber for separating sawdust, shavings, 85o., from the air ofthe class in which the air laden with the solid particles receives a rapid rotating or whirling motion in the separating-chamber, whereby the solid particles are driven out of the air-current and against the inner surface of said sclixarating chamber by centrifugal force.

`My invention consists of certain novel constructions and combinations or arrangements of parts by means of which, first, the blast of air passing through the feeder-pipesand separator from the fan, however powerful, is under complete control; second, the danger from fire by back-pressure or accumulation of fuel in the pipes is entirely avoided; third, the pipenozzles can be quickly and easily moved out of the way when access to the furnaces or doors is desired; and it consists, further, in the construction and combination of parts which are accessorial in the obtainment of the results named, as hereinafter disclosed in the descrip tion, drawings, and claims.

The objects of my invention are to provide the feeder-pipes which convey the fuel from the collector or separator to the furnace and storage-vault with adjustable dividing-valves for directing and controlling the ilow of fuel into said furnace or vault; to construct said pipes in such manner that quick and easy access to the furnace may be had at all times; to

provide said pipes with automatic safetyvalves for allowing` any fuel which may escape past the lower dividing-valve when closed to pass out at said safety-valves, and thus prevent the fuel from accumulating in said pipes and finally taking fire, and to provide the hopper of the fucllseparator with :an adjustable damper for regulating the force of the blast carrying the fuel and with means for breaking up or dissipating the whirling motion of the air and fuel therein.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which the saine numerals of reference indicate the same or corresponding parts in all the figures, Figure l represents a front elevation of two boiler'- furnaces provided with my invention,the lower portion of the hopper of the collector or separator being shown above as connected to the piping leading to said furnaces, the pipe eX- tending to the storage vault or chamber being broken away; Fig. 2, a side elevation, partly in section, of the feeder-pipes anda portion of the furnace and the storage vault or chamber; Fig. 8, a vertical section of a part of the collector or separator with the upperesd of the main feeder pipe or conduit attached to the lower end of the hopper; Fig. 4, a vertical section of the pipe in the bottom of the separator provided with a modified form of valve or damper; and Fig. 5, an enlarged section of 4a portion of the hinged nozzle, showing the counterbalanced safety-valve and the escape-aperture.

In the drawings, the numeral l represents a dust or fuel separator, which may be of any suitable construction otherwise than inthe following particulars: It consists of a separatiu gchamber, 2, having a suitable inlet-opening, 3; of a bottom, 1, formed with one or more discharge apertures or slots, 5, and with a central aperture in which is secured a short pipe, 6, or said bottom nay have a plain central aperture 0r a long pipe, if desired; ot' a hopper, 7, secured below the bottom of the separatingchamber, and of a wing, 8, hinged with its inner edge to the inside of said hopper and provided with a cord or wire, 9, passing through small holes in the hopper and to the outside for tilting or raising the outer edge of said wing more or less from the inside of the hopper. rllhe use or purpose of the wing just IOO named is to break up or dissipate the whirling or gyrating motion of the air and material in the hopper and to assist in regulating the force and amount of air required to feed the fuel from thelower end of said hopper th rough the feeder-pipes and into the furnaces. Vhen a strong air blast is required to feed the fuel from the hopper, the free or outer edge cfs-aid wing is moved inward or toward the center of the hopper, which will destroy the whirling motion of the air and fuel and effect their proper discharge.

Forregulating the amount or pressure of air in the hopper without producing any effeet upon the fa-n which supplies the blast to the separator I provide the eentralopening in the bottom et of the separating-chamber with a suitable valve er damper, 10, which, for the purpose of illustration, is shown as applied to the short pipe 6, two forms of said valve or damper beingillustrated, one ofthein being tilting, as shown in Fig. 3, andthe other sliding, as shown in Fig. 4; but, as before stated, said short pipe may be substituted by a long pipe passing up entirely through the separator and communicating with the outer air, or by a plain central opening without a pipe.

In regulating the force or pressure of air in the operation of feeding from the hopper, if only a little air be required to feed very light fuel, the damper or valve 10 will be left entirely open, so that the hopper will get full relief through the pipe or opening. If more air be required, the damper will be partly closed, and if still more air be needed the.

damper will be entirely closed. If,again,a still stronger force or pressure be necessary, the damper will remain closed and the wing will wpireppeped out more or less from the side toward tuffo-enter ofthe hopper. With the wing fully moved out toward the center of the hopper and with the damper entirely closed, the same blast will be produced from the hopper as is received in the separator proper from the fan. It will thus be seen that the force or pressure of the air is under perfect control at all times, and that the fuel can be fed with a force varying from no airat all, as when it descends by its own gravity, to the full blast received by the separator, and that this could not be accomplished in a separator having no bottom without making adjustments at the puriiiedair outlet` of the separating-chamber, which would of course cause the air to react upon the fan which creates the blast and cause irregularities in the operation of the same,v

which would destroy or impair the effectiveness of the separator. v

rIhe numerals 10indicate the furnacefronts, which are provided with doors 1l, of any usual or preferred construction, and with apertures 12 for the feeder-nozzles. These apertures are shown in the drawings as made in the front U walls of the furnaces; but they may be formed in the furnace-doors, ifsuch be more convenient or desirable. I have found it to bc most advantageous to arrange said apertures about twelve inches above the grates.

The main feeder pipe or conduit 11 is secured to the lower end of the hopper of the separator, the latter being arranged in such a manner above the boiler-furnaces and the storage-vault that it will allow the smaller 'feederpipes and their branches to descend to said furnaces with as steep inclination and as slight bends or curves aspossible. The main feeder pipe or conduit 11 is bifurcated at its lower portion, forming branches 12 and 18, one of which, 12, is extended by a pipe, 14, to the storage-vault 15, while the other, 13, is eX- tended by a branched pipe, 16, toward the furnaces.

A dividing-valve or cut-off, 17, is pivoted or hinged iu the crotch of the bifurcation of the main pipe 11 for dividing the fuel between the furnaces and storage-vault. It is also adapted to be tilted to entirely or partly close either of the pipes 14 and 16, and for this purpose it is provided with an arm, 1S, forming part of its pivoted pintle or shaft. To the end of said arm are secured ropes or cords 19, which pass around two guide-pulleys, 20, arranged one above and one below the outer end of the valvearm, and are thence carried over guide-pulleys 21 and down to an adjustable operatinglever, 22, which is fulcrumed within convenient reach of the fireman or attendant to the furnaces. Thus said dividing-valve or cut-off may beset to direct the current of air and fuel discharging from the hopper of the separator, so as to pass either into the pipe 14, leading to the vault, or into the branched pipe 16, leading to the furnaces; or it may be so set or adj usted as to pass a part of the air and fuel through both of said pipes at the same time. Vhen this valve is so adjusted as to shut off all air and fuel from the pipe leading to the vault, there is generally enough air delivered from the bottom of the hopper to properly convey said fuel into the furnaces; but when said valve is so set as to divide the air and fuel it will be obvious that the air-current passing through the branched pipe 16 to the furnaces will be weakened, and that in such case it will only be necessary to adjust the damper and wing in the bottom and hopper of the separator, since thereby the blast, although divided,will be so increased in strength that it will have the proper force to deliver the fuel into the furnaces.

The branched pipe 16, lwhich leads toward the furnaces, is bifurcated at the point 23 and provided with a tilting or dividing valve, 24, and branches 25, similar to those extending from the main feeder pipe or conduit 11. This dividing-valve is provided with an arm, 24', forming part of its pivot, to which is attached a handle, 24, having at its lower end suitable devices for securing it adj ustably upon the lower end of one of the pipes leading from the branches 25, said devices consisting of a rod having notches 24 and a catch, 24, upon sai d pipe. As only two furnaces are illustrated,

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only one bifurcation is shown in the pipe 16; but if it be desired to feed a greater number of furnaces than two it is only necessary to increase the number of the bifurcations and branch pipes accordingly.

To the branches of the lower bifurcation are secured the pipes 26,which aie su tliciently curved to bring their lower ends to register with the apertures in the furnace fronts. These pipes and any other portions of the piping requiring it are firmly supported and braced by braces or rods 27 or the like.

At the lower ends ot the pipes 26 are secured nozzles 28, which are preferably fiattened or rectangular in cross section, and which are slightly curved, so as to properly approach the apertures in the furnace-fronts. They are hinged at their upper ends to the lower ends of the pipes 2G, so that they may be swung back or away from the furnace-fronts. rlhe connecting ends of said pipes and nozzles are also provided with suitable screwbolts, 29, arranged opposite the hinges 30 for the purpose of securing the nozzles in operative position.

A shoe or mouthpiece, 3l, provided with curved lugs or flanges 3l at its sides, is so hinged or pivoted upon the sides ofthe mouth ot'each nozzle that it will swing down and forni a chute extending from the mouth of said nozA zle to the aperture in the furnace-front when said nozzle is inoperative position; also, it will swing up over the mouth of the nozzle and out ofthe way when said nozzleis swung back ont of operative position; also, this slice or mouth-piece will permit the nozzle to be swung back without moving the pipe to which it is hinged, and will allow of a perfect connection being formed between the mouth of said nozzleand the aperture in the furnace front, thus preventing the escape of fuel beA tween these parts.

The lower side of the nozzle, which forms the bottom of the same when in operative position, is formed with a transverse slot or aperture, 82, and provided with a valve, 33, which is hinged or pivoted about centrally of said slot and so arranged that its inner portion, 34, will project into the nozzle and its outer portion, 85, extend outside thereof. This inner portion is held down flat or even with the bottom of the nozzle when there is the usual amount of fuel and force of air passing thereover, and when thus held down it will, in connection with said outer portion, close said slot, and thus prevent the escape of any portion of the fuel passing. The outer portion, 35, of said valve is so weighted as to tilt or raise the inner portion, 34, and open the slot when there is no air-blast or fuel or an insufficient amount thereof passing through the nozzle to hold said inner portion down.

It will be evident from the foregoing that the valve 33 is entirely automatic and has the function of a safety-valve, as it serves to catch or stop all the fine particles of fuel which may leak through or past the dividing-valve 24 when it is closed and direct them ont through the transverse slot, so that there will be no danger of such particles accumulating in the nozzle and taking lire from the furnace.

Either the valve or damperin the bottom of the separatingchamber or the wing in the hopper may be dispensed with and the force of the air-blast regulated or controlled by the other; but of course this would preclude the wide range of adjustment or control of the airblast which is possible when both the damper and wing are used.

Having thus fully described the construction, arrangement, operation, and advantages of the several parts of my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. In afurnace-feeder, the combination of a fuel-separator provided with a bottom formed with one er more discharge slots or apertures and with a hopper secured below said bot-tom, with one or more feed-pipes leading from said hopper, substantially as described.

2. In a furnace-feeder, the combination of a vfuel-separator provided with a bottoni formed with one or more discharge slots or apertures and with a hopper secured below said bottoni and provided with an adjustable wing upon its inner side, with one or more feed-pipes leading from said hopper, substantially as dcscribed.

3. In a furnace feeder, the combination of a fuel-separator provided with a bottom formed with one or more discharge slots or apertures, a hopper secured below said bottom, a wing upon the innerside of said hopper, and a cord or wire for adjusting said wing from the outside of Vsaid hopper, with one or more feedpipes leading from said hopper, substantially as described.

4. In a furnace-feeder, a fuel-separator piovided with a bottom formed with one or more discharge-apertnres and with a central aperture, an adjustable valve or damper for said central aperture, and a hopper below said bottoni, in combination with one or more feedpipes leading from said hopper, substantially as described.

5. In a furnace-feeder, a fuel separator provided with a bottom having one or more discharge-apertures and also a central aperture, a pipe secured in said central aperture, an adjustable valve or damper, and a hopper secured below said bottom, in combination with one or more feed-pipes leading from said hopper, .substantially as described.

6. In a furnace-feeder, a fuel-separator provided with a bottom formed with one or more discharge-apertures and a central aperture, an adjustable valve or damper, and a hopper secured below said bottom and provided with an adjustable wing, in combination with one or more feed-pipes leading from said hopper, substantially as described.

7. In a furnace-feeder, a lfuel-separator comprising a separating-chamber., 2, having a tangential inlet-opening, 3, a bottoni, 4, formed with apertures or slots 5, a hopper, 7, secured IOO IIC

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below said bottom and having an adjustable wing, 8, a central pipe, 6, and an adjustable valve or damper, l0, in combination with one or more feed-pipes leading from said hopper, snbstantiall y as described.

S. In a furnace-feeder, a fuelseparator provided With a bottom formed with one or n'iore discharge-apertures and a hopper secured beneath the same, in combination with a bifur' cated main pipe or conduitsecured to the bottom of said hopper and provided with a pivoted dividing-valve, and feed-pipes attached to said bifurcated main pipe or conduit, substantially as described.

9. In a furnaeefeeder, the combination of a fuel-separator provided with a bottom formed with one or more discharge slots or apertures and with a hopper secured below said bottom and provided with an adjustable wing upon its inner side, with a bifureated mainpipe or conduit secured to the bottoni of said hopper and provided with a pivoted -dividing-valve, and t'eed pipes attached to said bi fureated main pipe or conduit, substantially as described.

10. Ina furnacefeeder, a fuel-separator provided with a bottom formed with one or more dischargeapertures and a central aperture, an adjustable valve or damper, and a hopper secured below said bottom and provided with an adjustable wing, in combination with a bii'ureated main pipe or conduit secured to the bottom of said hopper and provided with a pivoted dividing valve, and feed pipes attaelied to said bifureated main pipe or conduit, substantially as described.

1l. In a furnace-feeder, Va fuel-separator provided with a bottom formed with one or more discharge-apertares and with a central aperture, an adjustable valve or damper for said central aperture, and a hopper below said bottom, in combination with a bifurtated main pipe or conduit secured to the bottoni of said hopper and provided with a pivoted dividingvalve, and leed-pipes attached to said bifureated Inain pipe or conduit, substantially as described.A

12. In a fiiirnace-fecder, the combination,

with a feed-pipe, of a hinged nozzle formed with a transverse slot and provided with a valve pivoted to rock within said slot, the inner portion of said valve being arranged and adapted to close said nozzle, and its outer portion being weighted to counterbalanee said inner portion and to be closed over said slot by the inner portion being tilted down by the current of air and fuel, substantially as described.

13. In a furnace-feeder, the combination of the branched pipe 16, provided with the dividing-valve 24, and the curved rectangularlysshaped nozzle 2S, formed with the transverse slot 32 in its bottom and provided with the pivoted valve 33, having the inner portion, 34, and the outer weighted portion, 35, substantially as described.

14. In a furnace-feeder, the combination of a feedpipe with a movable nozzle provided at its lower end with a pivoted shoe or mouthpiece which is adapted to move down even with the bottom of said nozzle by its own gravity when in operative position, substantially as described.

15. In a furnace feeder, the combination of a `feed-pipe with a movable nozzle provided at its lower end with the hinged shoe or mouthpieeepivoted tothe sides ofthe mouth or lower end of said nozzle and having curved lugs or iianges at its sides, substantially as described.

1G. In a furnace-feeder, the combination of a feed-pipe with a hinged and outwardlyswinging nozzle provided at itslower end with a pivoted shoe or mouth-.piece adapted to swing freely u p and down even with the lower edge of said mouthpiece and provided with curved lugs or tianges at its sides, and devices for removably securing together said feed-pipe and nozzle, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aitix 'mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM E. ALLING TON.

Witnesses:

HEMAN B. FnRnIs, Jas. B. PETER. 

